The German defenders in Normandy were well dug in when the first waves of Canadian soldiers struggled ashore on June 6th, 1944,
Against the hail of fire from the Germans occupying France, the Canadians pushed them inland and established a beachhead enabling more men and materiel to land.
However, that came at a cost of many hundreds ore wounded and maimed, and 359 dead.
In honour of the fallen for the 70th anniversary, the Juno Beach Centre has created a sprawling installation of 359 maple tribute markers on Juno beach, to remain through to November.
Sponsors are being encouraged for the tributes which will consist of a stylized marker, standing about a metre tall, embossed with a maple leaf and featuring a plaque providing biographical information about the Canadian it represents
“The Juno Beach Centre helps us remember and appreciate not just the incredible valour of June 6, 1944, but that of all Canadians on land, in the air, and at sea during World War II,” said General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier, Patron, Juno Beach Centre Association
Some 100 Canadian veterans are part of an official delegation to Normandy for the D-Day commemoration which will also be attended by
Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday.
Wounded Warriors Canada, is set to host it’s inaugural battlefield bike ride as well. Some 100 serving and retired Canadian Armed Forces personnel will ride into the Juno Beach area and then continue on a 700km ride through the same countryside as the veterans of the wars, terminating the trip at Vimy Ridge for a ceremony eight days later. Their goal is to raise awareness and funds for programmes helping veterans with physical and emotional injuries.
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